Oscar Mike to the glossary. Copy that.
A rapid and dramatic increase in troop deployment to an area, deployed when normal operations aren't working and time is running out.
A temporary stop during movement where units establish security and assess the situation before continuing. Military time-out, but with more weapons and fewer juice boxes.
Someone who deliberately underperforms or withholds effort, or in military training contexts, one who feigns injury or exhaustion to avoid difficult tasks. The art of strategic laziness elevated to tactical doctrine.
Strategic Air Command, the Cold War-era US Air Force division that controlled America's nuclear bomber fleet and made sure everyone knew the apocalypse was just one phone call away. From 1946 to 1992, SAC maintained 24/7 readiness with bombers circling the globe, making it the world's most expensive insurance policy against Soviet aggression. Its motto 'Peace Is Our Profession' was deliciously ironic for an organization whose job was preparing for nuclear Armageddon.
The simultaneous firing of multiple weapons, creating that impressive wall of destruction you see in war movies. It's quality through quantity, delivered all at once.
Range safety command sequence preparing personnel to commence firing, ensuring everyone's pointed in approximately the same direction before lead starts flying. The polite precursor to controlled chaos.
Creating false signals or communications to deceive enemy sensors, basically catfishing your opponent's entire military infrastructure.
Information that has been stripped of identifying details so classified sources can't be traced, also applies to military reports that need to look good for Congress.
Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses—using missiles and aircraft to neutralize or degrade enemy air defense systems so other aircraft can operate safely. Basically clearing the airspace.
An individual skilled in moving undetected through hostile or monitored environments, whether for reconnaissance, theft, or espionage. Essentially a professional ghost with dubious ethics.
A military strategy emphasizing overwhelming force and psychological dominance to break enemy will before sustained combat—basically, 'make them regret starting' in one explosive gesture.
An order to cease operations and stand by, often issued right after everyone has positioned themselves for the thing they were told to do.
To position military or security personnel at a specific location for operational readiness, surveillance, or duty assignment. It's a fancy way of saying 'planted here until further notice.'
The prescribed range at which enlisted personnel must render salutes to officers, theoretically six paces but practically 'close enough that ignoring them would be obvious.' The geometry of military courtesy.
A deliberate message, gesture, or encoded transmission designed to convey information to someone watching for it. From smoke signals to digital broadcasts, it's humanity's way of saying 'psst, pay attention.'
Engaging targets from a distance safe enough that your forces aren't vulnerable to direct return fire. Also called 'standoff distance' or 'standoff range.'
Operations designed to neutralize enemy air defense systems—taking out the AA before they take out your planes.
Military systems allowing engagement of targets from a safe distance, minimizing exposure to enemy fire—basically 'hitting them before they can hit you back'.
Employing lighter forces to observe and report enemy movement while avoiding engagement. It's 'send the junior soldiers out front to see what we're dealing with,' expressed as legitimate military doctrine.
A bulge in a defensive front line where friendly forces extend forward into enemy territory. It's a term that makes military planners nervous because it means 'three exposed sides of enemy opportunity.'
A secret, often unauthorized military or defense project operating outside normal bureaucratic channels. Half-affectionate, half-ominous in implication.
Military technology designed to avoid detection by radar, infrared, or acoustic sensors. Making expensive multibillion-dollar military hardware invisible to the naked eye.
Coordinated military aircraft and support units designed for a specific bombing or attack mission. A delicately balanced collection of ordnance, pilots, and support that's surprisingly fragile once airborne.
Techniques to minimize a vehicle's radar, thermal, visual, or acoustic detection signatures. Making military equipment harder to spot like a ninja in camo.